Saskatoon Kendo Club: History, Instructor, and Club Background

Updated

The Saskatoon Kendo Club is a kendo club in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, founded in 1981 by Ken Miyaoka. It practices at the YMCA in Saskatoon, has about 50 members, and holds an annual seminar every February. If you are looking for a long-established kendo group in Saskatoon with an experienced instructor, this club is the relevant organization; if you need current practice times, fees, or registration details, those are not provided in the available club information and should be confirmed directly with the club.

Founding and History

The club was founded in 1981 by Ken Miyaoka. That makes it a decades-old organization rather than a recently formed group, which matters if you are comparing clubs by stability and continuity.

Since its founding, dozens of people have attained a rank of 1st degree or higher through the club. This is a useful indicator of the club's track record: it is not only a place to start kendo, but a place where members have progressed to formal rank over time.

Instructor Background

Ken Miyaoka, referred to as Miyaoka-sensei, has over 50 years of experience and holds the rank of nanadan, or 7th degree. For prospective members, this is the most concrete quality signal available: a long-practicing instructor with a high dan rank leading the club.

Club Size and Location

The club currently has about 50 members and practices at the YMCA in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. A club of this size is large enough to offer regular practice partners while remaining a single, identifiable community.

Annual Seminar

The club's annual seminar is held every February. If your interest is in visiting, observing, or participating in a larger event rather than weekly practice, February is the month to keep in mind.

Practical Takeaways

  • Founded: 1981, by Ken Miyaoka
  • Instructor: Miyaoka-sensei, over 50 years of experience, nanadan (7th degree)
  • Member progression: Dozens of members have reached 1st degree or higher
  • Current size: About 50 members
  • Practice location: YMCA in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
  • Annual seminar: Every February

What to Confirm Before Contacting the Club

The available club information does not list practice schedules, fees, membership requirements, or a registration process. For more information, the club directs inquiries to Neil. Before reaching out, decide what you need: whether you want to watch a practice, join as a beginner, or transfer from another dojo, since each may lead to different questions.